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I think in this case of DRM as a chastity belt to thwart the pirates. Did chastitiy belts really do much for the women forced to wear them? ....quite. Sorry I couldnt think of a car analogy but I kind of like this one ! :-)

If you make something great, it will sell. A fantastic product will always sell, regardless of piracy, thieves or parasites. All the hours put into preventing piracy could have been used for even more fine-tuning and polish of the game, which would ultimately increase sales.

Mankind is the only creature smart enough to know its own history, and dumb enough to ignore it.

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Originally Posted by mantralux

I just want to point out one final thing before leaving this thread:

If you make something great, it will sell. A fantastic product will always sell, regardless of piracy, thieves or parasites. All the hours put into preventing piracy could have been used for even more fine-tuning and polish of the game, which would ultimately increase sales.

That is the simple truth.

Except that the devs who programme the game don't spend even a minute of their time on anti piracy measures, that also is a simple truth.

If you make something great, it will sell. A fantastic product will always sell, regardless of piracy, thieves or parasites. All the hours put into preventing piracy could have been used for even more fine-tuning and polish of the game, which would ultimately increase sales.

That is the simple truth.

Moving to steam means not wasting any more time on anything like that, steam will now worry about the pirates.

If you make something great, it will sell. A fantastic product will always sell, regardless of piracy, thieves or parasites. All the hours put into preventing piracy could have been used for even more fine-tuning and polish of the game, which would ultimately increase sales.

That is the simple truth.

The hours put into preventing piracy are spent by non-programming staff. They are not going to improve anything if they break out the C++ manuals and have a stab at coding.

I agree that if you make something great it will sell - which is why, even though I sympathise with some of the objections to Steam, I don't think the sales of FM are going to fall apart.

Just to add a little fuel to the fire I have to share this as I found it laughable. I apparently have an account from 09 install but had completely forgotten. Was merrily going through the create an account route when it identified that my email address was already registered. Went through the "forgotten password" route only to be provided a code (OK fair enough) and the requirement to supply a "secret answer" that they asked for in French (and not only that french that doesn't translate!) Either I am missing something or there could be problems ahead. Thankfully I took a punt on some passwords I might have used and logged in. I hope others fair better if they can't remember their details!

Mankind is the only creature smart enough to know its own history, and dumb enough to ignore it.

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Originally Posted by kevgaleuk

Just to add a little fuel to the fire I have to share this as I found it laughable. I apparently have an account from 09 install but had completely forgotten. Was merrily going through the create an account route when it identified that my email address was already registered. Went through the "forgotten password" route only to be provided a code (OK fair enough) and the requirement to supply a "secret answer" that they asked for in French (and not only that french that doesn't translate!) Either I am missing something or there could be problems ahead. Thankfully I took a punt on some passwords I might have used and logged in. I hope others fair better if they can't remember their details!

You're not the first, Barside had to jump through similar hoops for the same reason, fortunately he also got there in the end, time to remember where you stored all your old forgotten passwords folks

Im pretty sure i am doing something wrong/stupid but none-the-less i will ask i hope for some help! In preparation for FM2012 i decided lastnight to try and play FM2011 on my laptop but with steam offline. I logged into stem chose to change to offline and was told "offline mode not available as my steam account details are not registered on this computer". Can anyone help? I have used the same laptop for years and am 99.9% sure this was the laptop/computer used when steam account was originally created.

If you go to Settings on the first tab there is a tick box that says "Don't save account credentials on this computer". If it is ticked, then according to the explanation underneath it will disable offline mode.

you should be able to move your steam account to any computer, as long as you can go online on the new computer to associate your account, i recently moved mines over to my new laptop without any problems.

If you go to Settings on the first tab there is a tick box that says "Don't save account credentials on this computer". If it is ticked, then according to the explanation underneath it will disable offline mode.

RowRow78 - Have you had an email with a verification code? If not, when you try to login there are two options if I recall correctly. One of them will allow you to request a verification code, which will be sent to your email. The option lets you type the code in.

Ive always had this problem where if my interent was playing up and i tried to start up FM it wouldnt let me play when i selected "start in offline mode" i would have to sort out the interent problem first, then play FM...really hope someone can offer more than "whacking it with a stick" lol

RowRow78 - Have you had an email with a verification code? If not, when you try to login there are two options if I recall correctly. One of them will allow you to request a verification code, which will be sent to your email. The option lets you type the code in.

Ive always had this problem where if my interent was playing up and i tried to start up FM it wouldnt let me play when i selected "start in offline mode" i would have to sort out the interent problem first, then play FM...really hope someone can offer more than "whacking it with a stick" lol

Except that the devs who programme the game don't spend even a minute of their time on anti piracy measures, that also is a simple truth.

I know, but that wasn't the point. And even though it's not the same people focusing on piracy as on coding the game, it's still a big enough issue that it takes away focus on the whole. For example, instead of spending three hours with SEGA debating on what DRM to use, Miles could have spent those three hours quality testing the game and make sure it functions properly.

But let me rephrase:

Make the game fantastic. The better it is, the less problems with piracy you will have...because the better it is; the more people will buy it. Plenty of examples of other software developers out there that are so good that their piracy levels are irrelevant, due to their software being so good that people happily pay for it. Panic's 'Coda' is a good example.

A majority of those who use pirated software aren't doing it because of political reasons (even though they exist), but rather economical ones. Most people who use pirated software would use the legal versions of the game if it was available for £5. Which means there is a price point where people would switch from illegal software to legal software, but that price point increases alongside the quality of the software (up to a limit of course, Adobe Photoshop will never have their majority of users as legal ones, even though the software is good enough for its price).

Basically - the better the software, the more you can increase the cost without people turning to illegal versions of the application.

If Football Manager had 50% less bugs at release day, cost 20% less and was widely available without having the need for pointless 3rd party software, they would make a bigger profit than the one they make by going Steam-only. This whole DRM-route is just attacking the problem from the wrong direction, which is common amongst developers and publishers.

If Football Manager had 50% less bugs at release day, cost 20% less and was widely available without having the need for pointless 3rd party software, they would make a bigger profit than the one they make by going Steam-only. This whole DRM-route is just attacking the problem from the wrong direction, which is common amongst developers and publishers.

In your opinion. Without any numbers to back this opinion up. SI/SEGA will have made a business decision based on research and numbers, so in fairness they probably have a better idea of what the best route to take is to maximize their profit.

Just to add a little fuel to the fire I have to share this as I found it laughable. I apparently have an account from 09 install but had completely forgotten. Was merrily going through the create an account route when it identified that my email address was already registered. Went through the "forgotten password" route only to be provided a code (OK fair enough) and the requirement to supply a "secret answer" that they asked for in French (and not only that french that doesn't translate!) Either I am missing something or there could be problems ahead. Thankfully I took a punt on some passwords I might have used and logged in. I hope others fair better if they can't remember their details!

Oh FFS what next? Seriously I am considering not buying FM12 now. I shall try my Steam log in tonight (have one from a year or two ago). If I cannot easily get it sorted I shall seriously consider sticking with FM11 for ever more. Life is too short to be buqqered about like this!

It really is time for an SI directive (maybe a blog) that details how Steam can be used as a positive platform and how poor $ods like me who only use Steam to download the demo once per year can access & use the game they will have bought honestly and with good intention. The odd tw@t poster replying "See ya!" to those who feel like quitting and the odd Mod attempt to talk up Steam (although a t least 2 mods are dismayed that it is to be used with this titile, are really not good enough.

There is a statisitic that it costs 20% of the cost of recuiting new Customers to support & keep the Customers you already had. But statistics can prove anything is right even when it is wrong - as in the case of the "We're using Steam this year" decision meeting!.

If you havent used steam for years whats the harm in making a new account? If you havent used it years it leads me to think you dont really care about any games you had on that account so where is the problem? It takes minutes to set up both a new hotmail and steam account. Tiger you havent even tried and your complaining about it??!!
The FAQ from SI will come Kriss has already said its in the works.

Oh FFS what next? Seriously I am considering not buying FM12 now. I shall try my Steam log in tonight (have one from a year or two ago). If I cannot easily get it sorted I shall seriously consider sticking with FM11 for ever more. Life is too short to be buqqered about like this!

It really is time for an SI directive (maybe a blog) that details how Steam can be used as a positive platform and how poor $ods like me who only use Steam to download the demo once per year can access & use the game they will have bought honestly and with good intention. The odd tw@t poster replying "See ya!" to those who feel like quitting and the odd Mod attempt to talk up Steam (although a t least 2 mods are dismayed that it is to be used with this titile, are really not good enough.

There is a statisitic that it costs 20% of the cost of recuiting new Customers to support & keep the Customers you already had. But statistics can prove anything is right even when it is wrong - as in the case of the "We're using Steam this year" decision meeting!.

So, you already have steam to download the demo. You are ranting about the possibility of not being able to access your account before you have tried. Then you posted a statistic just to discredit it?

If you havent used steam for years whats the harm in making a new account? If you havent used it years it leads me to think you dont really care about any games you had on that account so where is the problem? It takes minutes to set up both a new hotmail and steam account. Tiger you havent even tried and your complaining about it??!!
The FAQ from SI will come Kriss has already said its in the works.

Actually am not complaining am speculating that I may have a similar problem to someone who has tried something I have to do to access Steam, so a fair concern I think. Of course I dont care about Steam, I only used it to get the FM Demo in the past!.
In case you misunderstood, I believe that if you use the same email account you cannot create a 2nd Steam account? So what, I now have to open another email account to access Steam to access FM? I'd rather spend that time playing FM11, frankly.

This issue is turning into a trail of small issues that build up to one big one - namely, to play FM12 I will have to do x, y and z, and even then there may be issues. Just maybe I am believing the hype of negative axe grinders here but for me FM12 is already tainted. Balance that with how much I love FM11 right now and I may just have found a way to save myself £30-£40 per year from now on, HOWEVER you are right, I'll try Steam tonight - I havent given up just yet. Wish me luck.

Kinda seems like your over reacting without knowing whats going to happen.
Your right tho you cannot have two steam accounts on one email address, but really how long does it take to set up a hotmail, two mintues at most? You wont even process a day after a few seasons in FM11, infact you could them both at the same time!! Unless your steam client is slowing your computer down too much.........

Bearing in mind I am not sat infront of my games laptop right now please read my post again in relation to the previous post it responds to and try to understand it.

You are right though Eddy, it was kind of a rant wasnt it ;-)

I did the same to an extent. Except I've never used steam since the 09 issues. My main issue is with the lack of choice though.

I decided I wasn't going to not play FM just because I have a poor opinion of Steam, tried it and liked it.

I just think people with actual issues are getting swamped with unnecessary arguing, ranting etc (last part not particularly aimed at you).

I didn't know my password either by the way, took me under 30 seconds to get into my account after I clicked can't remember password or whatever. So there are issues for some people, but for what I imagine is the vast majority, Steam seems to be fairly user friendly.

Mankind is the only creature smart enough to know its own history, and dumb enough to ignore it.

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Originally Posted by tigerhgrrrrrr

Actually am not complaining am speculating that I may have a similar problem to someone who has tried something I have to do to access Steam, so a fair concern I think. Of course I dont care about Steam, I only used it to get the FM Demo in the past!.
In case you misunderstood, I believe that if you use the same email account you cannot create a 2nd Steam account? So what, I now have to open another email account to access Steam to access FM? I'd rather spend that time playing FM11, frankly.

This issue is turning into a trail of small issues that build up to one big one - namely, to play FM12 I will have to do x, y and z, and even then there may be issues. Just maybe I am believing the hype of negative axe grinders here but for me FM12 is already tainted. Balance that with how much I love FM11 right now and I may just have found a way to save myself £30-£40 per year from now on, HOWEVER you are right, I'll try Steam tonight - I havent given up just yet. Wish me luck.

Firstly, I know it's irritating but it might just all go like a well oiled machine, secondly if they hadn't gone this route of DRM they'd have gone at least one other, so instead of X,Y & Z you'd just be doing L,M & P which could have been even worse given the historical evidence (FM09)

tigerhgrrrrrr - look at it this way, while there is a possibility that Steam maybe problematic to set up for 10 minutes/an hour/a day, FM2012 will keep you entertained for a year. I have no feelings towards Steam one way or another - it is a means to an end - but the end result seems to far outweigh any possible problems at the start, if you even experience them.

It would be a shame to end up wondering if you have missed out on something.

I think the general disliking about this idea is that the users who buy this game should not have to jump through hoops just to get this game working. Paying the price for the game should be enough just to go home, install it and play it.........this has been a tried and tested method on every console. Xbox or PS3 don't ask customers to go online to activate their games, its simple plug and play and it works. Lets face facts, people can state the benefits and the negatives about steam but it should not be forced upon someone, the people i feel sorry for are the guys with no internet connection as it seems that SI have basically ignored them. People can talk about "oh how do people in this day and age not have internet connections" but there is such problems of broadband not being available in certain areas of a country.
And lets say if there are a number of FM gamers who do not have the Internet and they buy this game: first they have to find someone with an Internet connection which means travelling to somewhere to get one, then create a steam account and an email address, then install the game and hope that nothing goes wrong with Steam....seems like alot of bother and we will not forget about the users who won't even see this thread because they don't have an Internet connection.........but who cares about them :-(

The PC and Mac games are too easily hacked. It used to be great to buy PC games off the shelf and have them work. With the internet piracy can become global in seconds. Jumping through hoops with Steam is a necessary evil in delaying the piracy so that SI can benefit from people not canceling pre-orders the very day that pirate copies appear online. Yes they want to make money. I've said this before and according to SI, if 1/4 the people who pirate bought it would double sales. That means 1,000,000 people buy it there are 4,000,000 people playing pirated copies. If someone was blatantly ripping off your software wouldn't you want it shut down or delayed? Look at the Apple Stores in China, selling off rip-off Apple gear, one reporter reported it and all of a sudden a whole rake of them were shut down.

It's unfortunate that you need an internet connection. And SI didn't just "ignore" them, but they felt they had no other option and they said they didn't take the decision lightly.

At the end of the day, if this increases sales for FM12 and they make more profit, they'll have more resources to pour into the next one.

We don't know what will happen next year. Perhaps some bright spark will invent a impenetrable system for software that can't be hacked. Perhaps SI will work on developing their own Client for installing the game? Perhaps they will see a drop in sales and revert back to not using Steam. Perhaps it will be an overall success and they'll implement Steam as a standard?

However, for now, people without internet connections are in a rut. But make no mistake. This has benefited people where the game was not available on Steam last year, but is this year. Some people in the Ukraine have reported that it can take WEEKS to get a postal service delivering the game. And they were delighted they could buy it through Steam.

Maybe I am missing something, a few seconds ago I was checking for new games - but since I am not a hard core gamer it's hard to find something really appealing, FM is pretty much the only game I play on the PC - I wanted to go offline because I am now going somewhere where I won't have internet connection. Luckily (in a weird way) it threw this up so that I know there's a problem before I left because I have experienced other times where I get to the location (with no internet connection) and when I try to load up FM it either requests my password (which I can't do due to no internet connection) or it can refuse to load up FM due to no internet connection.

I am really wondering if this force move to Steam is really going to be worth it. I cannot imagine that I am the only one experiencing this...

1: Start Steam online - make sure the Remember my password box on the login window is checked this is where I was at moments before this message - I was looking through the library and what not

2: Verify that all game files are completely updated - you can see the update status for a game under the Library section (when the game shows as 100% - Ready it is ready to be played in Offline Mode) doesn't steam do this automatically when you are online?

3: Launch the game you would like to play offline to verify that there are no further updates to download - shut down the game and return to Steam once you have confirmed that the game can be played I wasn't going to play the game now, just go offline because in a half hour I am going somewhere where there is no internet connection for the weekend

4: Go to Steam > Settings to ensure the Don't save account credentials on this computer option is not selected just checked, the box is not ticked

5: From the main Steam window, go to the Steam menu and select Go Offline that is what I did...?

6: Click Restart in Offline Mode to restart Steam in Offline Mode when you selct Go Offline this always pops up

Look man, I just re-did the whole thing. Ok, I re-connected to my Steam account, which funnily enough allowed me to go back online - followed the steps and the same thing just happened. I did not miss a step, I am quite capable of doing these type of things, you know...

There are 4 screen shots. The one that is missing is "make sure that the game is 100% updated". Well, FM11 has been at 100% since early November 2010 - if you don't believe me I can easily show you a screenshot of that...

The other step missing is "launch the game" - which I can't.

I seriously don't think you actually know what you are talking about. But thanks for the advice about contacting Steam Support, have you tried it? There went me weekend of gamming...

There are 4 screen shots. The one that is missing is "make sure that the game is 100% updated". Well, FM11 has been at 100% since early November 2010 - if you don't believe me I can easily show you a screenshot of that...

The other step missing is "launch the game" - which I can't.

I seriously don't think you actually know what you are talking about. But thanks for the advice about contacting Steam Support, have you tried it? There went me weekend of gamming...

Even with 4 screen shots there are still 6 steps. Your own post admitted you didn't need to do certain things, which seems to me you hovered over those.

Sorry for being helpful? Glad you could be so rude to me.

I do know what I am talking about because I can get it to work 100% of the time 100% of the time all the time.

Anytime I can't set a set of instructions to work - I go through each step meticulously and eventually find out I have done one of those incorrectly, or it can be done a different way that's not documented.

Again, Steam support should be able to help.

Unfortunate you only discovered this a few hours before you had to leave to an non-internet location.

Even with 4 screen shots there are still 6 steps. Your own post admitted you didn't need to do certain things, which seems to me you hovered over those.

Sorry for being helpful? Glad you could be so rude to me.

I do know what I am talking about because I can get it to work 100% of the time 100% of the time all the time.

Anytime I can't set a set of instructions to work - I go through each step meticulously and eventually find out I have done one of those incorrectly, or it can be done a different way that's not documented.

Again, Steam support should be able to help.

Unfortunate you only discovered this a few hours before you had to leave to an non-internet location.

You know for next time to be more prepared so.

What don't you get?

One of the steps you pointed out was to launch the game - well I can't now can I?

The other missing step was that the game needs to be 100% updated - it has been for almost a whole year now...

I am a little annoyed that you keep suggesting that I am not doing things correctly...

Couldn't have happened at a worse time, just when a load of potential new users are looking into the stability of Steam it goes & breaks.

Haha tell me about , although it doesnt seem every one is experiencing it reading the steam forums, either that, or they havent noticed it yet. From what ive read its affecting people in different ways, and also in others not at all

To be fair, your whole attitude is just disgraceful. Are you mocking me? Just because everyone isn't as capable as you that makes it right to mock...

I never mock anyone. Sorry you take it that way?

My attitude to try and help you is disgraceful?

My second comment in regards to search engines was a play on how people generally in this thread are afraid of running 3rd Party apps, like Steam, on their computers. But they openly run Internet Browsers and Search Engines which record their every move, far more "intrusive" than Steam is.

My second comment in regards to search engines was a play on how people generally in this thread are afraid of running 3rd Party apps, like Steam, on their computers. But they openly run Internet Browsers and Search Engines which record their every move, far more "intrusive" than Steam is.

It had nothing to do with your issue.

Sorry you didn't see the funny side?

Say, what you want. Your attitude displayed a pee-poor quality, asking people about their reading skills is not funny and people better start being a little more cautious because you are causing hostility. I almost feel like you should give me an apology...

I questioned the way in which you followed the instructions, which in the way you posted how you applied the steps it seemed to me you didn't fully follow them.

I already said I accept you followed them fully and there is another issue at play.

And there was. There is a bug in the latest update of Steam.

Your remark on how easy it was to make a search suggested that you did. Now, I urge you to start using your brain and refrain from that sort condescending attitude - for gods sake, is that really too much to ask?

Kinda seems like your over reacting without knowing whats going to happen.
Your right tho you cannot have two steam accounts on one email address, but really how long does it take to set up a hotmail, two mintues at most? You wont even process a day after a few seasons in FM11, infact you could them both at the same time!! Unless your steam client is slowing your computer down too much.........

To play FM12 you need to do three simple things;

Log in or sign up to steam
install FM11,
click play

lol totally agree, and I thought we were heading for an arguement there! ;-)

I did the same to an extent. Except I've never used steam since the 09 issues. My main issue is with the lack of choice though.

I decided I wasn't going to not play FM just because I have a poor opinion of Steam, tried it and liked it.

I just think people with actual issues are getting swamped with unnecessary arguing, ranting etc (last part not particularly aimed at you).

I didn't know my password either by the way, took me under 30 seconds to get into my account after I clicked can't remember password or whatever. So there are issues for some people, but for what I imagine is the vast majority, Steam seems to be fairly user friendly.

Firstly, I know it's irritating but it might just all go like a well oiled machine, secondly if they hadn't gone this route of DRM they'd have gone at least one other, so instead of X,Y & Z you'd just be doing L,M & P which could have been even worse given the historical evidence (FM09)

To be fair Kriss my whole attitude regarding DRM (Steam, Unilock or whatever) is spoiled by the FM09 debacle. I knew nothing of DRM's before then and had no opionion although a few naysaying posts before release day did bother me a little, but that whole activation "apocalypse" (drawing a few stings from the more pro-Steam generation there - lol) made me hate DRM.Am trying to be positive, am not throwing toys out of prams but my FM11 experince is now going smoothly (3.5 patches on) - its a combination of these factors that makes me a little FM12-intollerant right now.

tigerhgrrrrrr - look at it this way, while there is a possibility that Steam maybe problematic to set up for 10 minutes/an hour/a day, FM2012 will keep you entertained for a year. I have no feelings towards Steam one way or another - it is a means to an end - but the end result seems to far outweigh any possible problems at the start, if you even experience them.

It would be a shame to end up wondering if you have missed out on something.

lol totally agree, and I thought we were heading for an arguement there! ;-)

There is no need for us to argue over it mate, lets just hope steam sort out any issues they may be having soon!!

for what its worth my offline steam is working as well, but then its been set that way for months, maybe there is an issue switching between them at the moment for some people, like i say tho steam should release an update soon.

Mankind is the only creature smart enough to know its own history, and dumb enough to ignore it.

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30,196

Originally Posted by tigerhgrrrrrr

To be fair Kriss my whole attitude regarding DRM (Steam, Unilock or whatever) is spoiled by the FM09 debacle. I knew nothing of DRM's before then and had no opionion although a few naysaying posts before release day did bother me a little, but that whole activation "apocalypse" (drawing a few stings from the more pro-Steam generation there - lol) made me hate DRM.Am trying to be positive, am not throwing toys out of prams but my FM11 experince is now going smoothly (3.5 patches on) - its a combination of these factors that makes me a little FM12-intollerant right now.

I think FM09 left us all a bit shell shocked, I seriously see this as more pain free once the initial stage is out of the way.

sorry for posting more but looking more into the steam issue it appears to be an account issue and will only effect some people, obviously not much help to those having a problem but rest assured its an issue they are aware of and are working on.

I'm a little annoyed that you don't understand that I am not suggesting you did anything incorrectly.

Let's put this down to a miscommunication on both parts and let it go.

I have no doubt you followed the instructions. I was just replying to your post where it appeared to me that you skimmed a step or 2. You said you didn't so fair enough.

Carry on.

Originally Posted by Eugene Tyson

Why should I use a 3rd party app to search for things?

Originally Posted by Eugene Tyson

There you go it's a bug. Fix coming soon.

I don't use search engines as it's a 3rd party app running through my browser and it's internet based so I can't trust it and won't use search engines.

Why do you feel the need to make these remarks? They might amuse your chums, but they really aren't clever, and just add to the shed load of repetitive, useless posts that you have already made in this thread. Eveybody is entitled to their opinion, stop trying to belittle people who express one that isn't the same as yours.

Why do you feel the need to make these remarks? They might amuse your chums, but they really aren't clever, and just add to the shed load of repetitive, useless posts that you have already made in this thread. Eveybody is entitled to their opinion, stop trying to belittle people who express one that isn't the same as yours.

why bring something up that was already dropped? your post is equally as unhelpful. Kriss already said something, end of that topic

Breath Tiger!!! Its an issue with the latest update they released, you are just unlucky, dont lose faith just yet

Seems this problem is over 2 hours old reading back. I'll try but this proves the whole point of contention here - I cannot access Steam!, so I could not activate or play FM (assuming Im not in offline mode). SI have jumped into bed with an unreliable partner and we are gonne have to deal with the ba$tard babies or in my case I just may not bother!!! NOT given up yet but tomorrow will be my last attempt. Shame on you SI, SI read and learn!.

Seems this problem is over 2 hours old reading back. I'll try but this proves the whole point of contention here - I cannot access Steam!, so I could not activate or play FM (assuming Im not in offline mode). SI have jumped into bed with an unreliable partner and we are gonne have to deal with the ba$tard babies or in my case I just may not bother!!! NOT given up yet but tomorrow will be my last attempt. Shame on you SI, SI read and learn!.

Steam are so incompetent they ask you security questions in what is not your preferred language (and that question contained faulty characters) then tell you you entered less than 3 characters (when you enter 10). SI your credibility is in the hands of muppets!

Steam are so incompetent they ask you security questions in what is not your preferred language (and that question contained faulty characters) then tell you you entered less than 3 characters (when you enter 10). SI your credibility is in the hands of muppets!

That is bizarre to say the least. Steam program or are you on the website?

Seems this problem is over 2 hours old reading back. I'll try but this proves the whole point of contention here - I cannot access Steam!, so I could not activate or play FM (assuming Im not in offline mode). SI have jumped into bed with an unreliable partner and we are gonne have to deal with the ba$tard babies or in my case I just may not bother!!! NOT given up yet but tomorrow will be my last attempt. Shame on you SI, SI read and learn!.

Like i say from reading the steam forum it appears some people are having issues with the client because of a recent update they released, as with FM, sometimes updates dont go perfectly, they will fix it as quick as they possibly can. The issue appears to be related to steam not being able to authenticate your account which may explain why it asked your security question in the wrong language. Valve are not unreliable, far from it, but they do appear to have had an issue that they havent managed to sort out yet.

I think FM09 left us all a bit shell shocked, I seriously see this as more pain free once the initial stage is out of the way.

To be fair to Steam (and I hate to be fair to Steam, because Steam isn't fair to you), the FM09 problems had nothing to do with do with them iirc? 99% of the issues were with either Uniloc's servers going down or shoddily printed serial numbers.

Like i say from reading the steam forum it appears some people are having issues with the client because of a recent update they released, as with FM, sometimes updates dont go perfectly, they will fix it as quick as they possibly can. The issue appears to be related to steam not being able to authenticate your account which may explain why it asked your security question in the wrong language. Valve are not unreliable, far from it, but they do appear to have had an issue that they havent managed to sort out yet.

Well, that's completely unacceptable. Why should an unnecessary third party application be able to prevent you from playing the game you purchased? If it's one minute it's too long.

Like i say from reading the steam forum it appears some people are having issues with the client because of a recent update they released, as with FM, sometimes updates dont go perfectly, they will fix it as quick as they possibly can. The issue appears to be related to steam not being able to authenticate your account which may explain why it asked your security question in the wrong language. Valve are not unreliable, far from it, but they do appear to have had an issue that they havent managed to sort out yet.

Next time I dont make it into work I shall say "Im not unreliable, far from it. I just havent made it into the office yet". I do appreciate that your post was trying to help though. FINALLY have opened a new accout (thats 60 mins of my life I wont get back). I am trying to do as I should but why should my experience not be typical? And is this acceptabe? - do remember without DRM you can just put the disc in and play. Anyway I am one step nearer to getting set through Steam for FM12 BUT so far this experience is all I dreaded it to be. To be frank, DRM is a good idea- I just doubt Unilock & Steam are trustworthy enough to make it reliable - or as reliable as would find acceptable, anyway.

To be fair to Steam (and I hate to be fair to Steam, because Steam isn't fair to you), the FM09 problems had nothing to do with do with them iirc? 99% of the issues were with either Uniloc's servers going down or shoddily printed serial numbers.

Well, when it rains it pours. Stuck in the airport and have been told to wait, looks like it will first be tomorrow that I can get going...

The link milnerpoint pointed out is not an official page, but some chat page with some disgruntled customers (how stupid of me not being able to find it and take this page as something official). How does he know that Steam is going through some difficulties since there is no official word on it? This is not something that happened a couple of hours ago, and I can tell you that this is not the first time this has happened to me. I am really glad that some don't have this problem, because therefore this is clearly not a problem at all...